When there is a really hard, blowing rain we have leaking in several places inside the house. It seems to be running the rafters (according to my neighbor) and there is pvc pipes in the attic where you can see outside (around the pipe) this is only the second time this has happened in six years. Would sealing around the pvc fix this or do I have another bigger problem?

Hi Rsjackson...

If you can see light around the pipe and the wind blows in a particular direction it is very possible that water could get in and follow the pipe to almost any point along the pipe as vent pipes pitch back toward the drains.

Can you physically get up into the attic and explore for leaks? If you can I'd check right at the base of the pipe going out the roof and see if you can see any staining below the pipe... a clear indicator that this is, at the least, part of the issue.

You may also want to go on the roof and use a silicone caulking around the pipe where the pipe goes through the roof boot.

Let us know your thoughts...

Mark

If the leak is from the pipe,it WILL be the boot.(unless the actual pipe is broken)If you see light,you have a damaged boot.

New pipe boots are not expensive,relatively easy to install(for a roofer,it could be done for very little,as long as the roof is not too pitched,the pipe is accessible,etc)

New boots have a rubber seal which when installed,stretches around the pipe.There should be NO LIGHT showing through ANY part of a roof.

Leaks,in general on a shingled roof,are from the items that penetrate the roof,not the actual shingles(unless they are that old), pipes,vents,chimney flashing,roof-to-wall flashing,etc.And leaks will naturally follow the path of least resistance,high to low.

If the water is showing at the base of a rafter,search up until you can determine the whereabouts of the source.Get the general location from the inside and (if you are going to do the leak sealing) go in the roof and look within the 3-4 feet around where you think it might be.

If the nails are up from the shingles,lift the tab and re-nail.

If there is a flashing problem,say against the chimney sides,I would suggest a roofer.

In all honesty,I would suggest at least a handyman to install a boot as they need to be sealed and overlap the shingles at the bases to make sure future leaks don't happen.

I am tired and I hope this made sense:)

KBC